Course element BigBlueButton

Type of software	OpenSource GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), server hosting required
Type of integration	BigBlueButton enables virtual classrooms with the following functionalities: Webcam and audio support Screen sharing Multi-User Whiteboard Survey functionality Group rooms Group chat and shared notes
System requirements	BigBlueButton is a browser-based software solution and requires no additional plug-ins. For full functionality (for moderators and participants) Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is recommended. On Windows the new version of Edge with Chromium Engine can also be used. It is officially recommended to use Google Chrome for screen sharing or playback of recorded meetings.
Configuration in the course editor	When integrating BigBlueButton into a course it can be decided whether a scheduled online meeting can be started by the moderator only or also by participants. If this option is activated participants will not be able to enter the meeting until the moderator has started it.
Configuration in the course for coaches	In the course, tutors can create new events in the BigBlueButton module in the event administration via "Add online event". The following variants for creating online-meeting are distinguished: Add single meeting Add permanent reservation Add daily recurring meeting Add weekly recurring meeting The variants only differ in the creation of the dates. Separate online-meetings/reservations are created, which can then be edited separately. Configuration of an online-meeting Name: Name of the event Description: Description of the event Welcome Message: Displayed in the BigBlueButton room as a welcome message in the chat for all participants Room-template: Selection of the pre-configured room templates (determines number of participants and various default settings in the online meeting) Show room bookings: calendar view for checking occupied online-meetings Start/End: Start and end of the meeting - the maximum duration of a meeting depends on the selected room template Prep time (min.): 0 to 15 minutes configurable lead time in which the meeting can already be started by the course coach or owner, e.g. for preparing a presentation. Follow-up (min.): 0 to 15 minutes configurable follow-up time during which the meeting can be extended Only for recurring online-meetings Start recurring date: 1st online-meeting (with weekly repetition this corresponds to the weekday of the series) End reccuring date: End of recurring online-meetings For recurring online-meetings, the online-meetings can be edited/deleted or supplemented with free data in the second process step "Date" before creation. Calendar integration If the course calendar is activated, the recorded online dates are also available as appointments and can be subscribed to by participants in their personal calendar. The online meeting rooms that are already booked/planned are displayed as a calendar ("Display room bookings"). Example view BigBlueButton room The recorded welcome text from the configuration of the online appointment is marked red.
View for participants	Participants can use the BigBlueButton to view current and future online appointments and participate in meetings. Any recordings of past meetings can be viewed (only available in Google Chrome).
Link to further information	BigBlueButton supplier website: https://bigbluebutton.org/